Notice how this one DOESN'T!!! The tie rod has moved 0.025" with our fingers. Just think how much it moves when you are really leaning on your machine. This car will NEVER align like this.
We also found the bushings were completely worn out that the rack slides on. From the looks of it, the rack was probably put together from various parts and pieces--and not too well at that. Cosmetically it looks perfect. Mechanically it would put you in the ditch.
Finally, notice how the threads are cut REALLY short on the end of the rack. Next comes a story that only would work on an original Cobra. Times were sure different then. Original Cobras ran an adapter on the end of the steering racks to lengthen the rack so it would reach to the wide track of a Cobra. (Well, wider than an MGB).
Original Street 427 cars had Sunburst wheels on them that were narrower than the normal Halibrand wheels. The steering arms ran into the Halibrand rims; so, they had to bend the steering arms inboard to clear the wider Halibrand rims when they swapped out the Sunbursts.
BUT, they still weren't long enough. They ALMOST made it, but not quite. (2 threads isn't enough to be safe with).
So, they ended up cutting the steering rack inner tie rods back 0.9 inches/side and then still having to put an adapter on to make up the distance.
Reminds me of High School shop class.
Anyway, here is the wiggly rack. Notice it has moved just over 0.025 inches.
